"Find the princess and bring me the head of Tai lung!" the king of Christonia yelled from his chambers. As soon as the order was given, every guard in the castle was deployed at once, initiating a full-scale search. Yet, the effort yielded no results.

Tai lung was a renowned bandit across the Four Main kingdoms, publicly known as the 'Lord of the Bandits.' He possessed the power to rival even the most secure kingdoms. This power, which he obtained from the Dark Guild, came from magical items of the seventh grade, which he always kept hidden.

Tai lung managed to elude the guards, escaping with the princess to meet his horde of bandits at a hill just beyond the city walls. He had no fewer than 200 men waiting for him in the woods near the hill, and together they fled back to the Netherland, a wasteland far east of Christonia.

Their hideout, a cave they had been using since they formed six years ago, was filled with magical items, ordinary weapons, and vast amounts of treasure.

“She doesn’t look scared,” a thief muttered. “Why doesn’t she cry? Isn’t she scared?” another one asked. “Leave her be; she’s probably just confused. She’s only five,” Tai Lung said, pulling up a bench for her to sit on. “Do you know how much the Dark Guild is willing to offer for you, little one?” Tai Lung continued. “Of course, you don’t,” he added, finishing his question.

Tai Lung knew that for the Dark Guild to offer 500,000 crystals, there had to be something exceptional about Mei Sato. Despite her young age, she had not uttered a word during her abduction and showed no signs of fear. This observation unsettled Tai Lung, but something about Mei stirred long-buried memories from his days as a guard in Terroin. Tai Lung had not always been a bandit; he once had a family. His wife and daughter had been killed by a powerful noble to silence him and cover up his tracks. In his quest for revenge, Tai Lung had slain the noble and his family members with the aid of the Dark Guild. In his despair, he vowed never to serve any form of royalty again but instead to inflict pain and discomfort upon them.

Mei finally spoke up. “I can’t believe there are so many weapons here. Can I play with them? Please, please, please!” Her request piqued Tai Lung’s curiosity, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “She has some gall,” he remarked. At that moment, he decided to hide from both the Dark Guild and Christonia and take Mei under his wing, as she reminded him so much of his long-deceased daughter. He ordered that Mei be called Kaida from then on.

*In a different world*

“Zakku, please come down and greet our guest,” Yuki Yamashiro called out, her voice revealing her nervousness. Yuki is the mother of Zakku Yamashiro and Miyumi Yamashiro, and the wife of Hiroshi Yamashiro, a man whose wealth and pride are solely tied to his children.

Miyumi climbed the stairs and made her way to Zakku’s room. “Zakku—Oniichan, Mother is calling for you,” she said with a weary expression, knowing that Zakku detests everyone in the family except her. She was uncertain whether Zakku would respond to the invitation, especially since he was engrossed in his games.

Zakku was the brightest prodigy of the Yamashiro family, a truly accomplished individual. At the age of 12, he had already earned the title of Child Genius five times in a row before being banned from further participation. He had also formulated several cures for some of the world’s most significant illnesses. But Zakku was not only an academic genius; by the age of 16, he could best some of the world’s top martial artists. Now 18, he had chosen a life of anonymity despite his prominence in the real world, resenting the attention it brought him. His true passions were video games and manga. Although he was an accomplished young man, his inner child’s desires were so strong and insatiable that he spent all day playing video games and avoiding contact with others, especially his parents. Miyumi was the only exception to this aversion. He cherished her above everything else and respected her despite her being his junior.

“Tell them I’ll be down in five,” Zakku replied, setting his headset down. His pitch-black hair shimmered under the dim moonlight that streamed through the glass windows. The moonlight seemed to make his hair glow since all the lights in his room were off. He then stood up, stretched a bit, and headed downstairs.

As Zakku descended the stairs, he felt a wave of discomfort wash over him, cringing inwardly as the guest’s wife eyed him with a lustful gaze. His attention then shifted to Mr. Gavril, whose piercing stare awaited him. Mr. Gavril was, by all accounts, the richest man in Tokyo, an industrial titan who had built his empire in the fashion industry, particularly in ladies' cosmetics and accessories. He had an older son who had mysteriously disappeared two months ago, and a daughter, Natsuki, whom he intended to marry off to the Yamashiro family in a few months. But before any of that could happen, he needed to have a conversation with Zakku—hence the dinner that had been arranged. Zakku had already suspected the underlying motive behind the dinner and, while he acknowledged that Natsuki wouldn’t be a bad choice for a wife, he wasn’t interested in the slightest.

“At last, he is here,” Mr. Gavriel said with a hint of relief, stretching his hand toward the stairs. Zakku sighed and sat down beside his sister, his expression blank. His sister, while still worried, was prepared for a confrontation, knowing their parents’ arrangement of a marriage would anger him.

“This is Natsuki, Zakku,” his father said. “She is the daughter of Mr. Gavriel, the richest man in Tokyo.”

“I am the richest man in all of Japan,” Zakku interrupted abruptly, cutting off his father. “I just choose not to flaunt my wealth.”

Hiroshi recognized Zakku’s veiled dismissal of Mr. Gavriel’s status and wealth. He then addressed the purpose of the dinner. “We hope you’ll consider taking Natsuki as your wife, Zakku. If you don’t feel obliged, please do it for the family.”

Zakku stood up, his anger palpable. “I owe this family nothing.” His outburst surprised Natsuki and her mother but was no shock to Mr. Gavriel. As a close friend of Hiroshi, Gavriel had witnessed firsthand how greed had driven Hiroshi to push Zakku away and deny him his rightful place. Gavriel knew how Zakku had been mistreated, akin to a circus animal forced to perform. This treatment had fueled Zakku’s deep-seated resentment towards his parents. He had learned martial arts as a means to threaten his father, hoping to prevent the same fate for his sister. Although Miyumi was not as extraordinary as Zakku, she was still a prominent figure in her own right.

Zakku left the dining table, taking his food with him, and retreated to his room, locking the door behind him and sinking into a feeling of emptiness. The following day, Zakku decided to buy a new house, leaving his family behind, but urged his sister to contact him if their parents misbehaved.

A month later, Zakku had settled into his new house, which was modestly equipped with a single game station and a manga library. Despite his wealth, he chose to live simply. Unfortunately, his status as the most eligible bachelor in Tokyo made it impossible to go unnoticed. While out grocery shopping, he only purchased soda and bread from a supermarket near both his old school, where he graduated three years ago, and the school his sister currently attends.

“Hana, what’s wrong?” Miyumi asked, noticing her distress. “Yeah, that’s right. You haven’t been talking, and it’s unlike you,” Aiko added.

“Um, it’s just—” Hannah hesitated. “You can tell us,” Miyumi said, trying to comfort her. “Okay, my dad owes some terrible people money, and I’m afraid they’ll come after me. I don’t know what to do,” Hannah confessed, breaking into tears. “Oh, that’s bad. Don’t worry. Stop crying. I won’t let anything happen to you, okay?” Miyumi reassured her, which made Hannah feel a bit more at ease. She then wiped her tears and managed a weak smile to show that she understood.

Later that day

*At Hillcrest Town mall*

Miyumi decided to walk home with her friends that day. Aiko and Hana were ahead while Miyumi trailed behind. She then noticed a black van stopping in front of the two girls just as they exited the mall. Instinctively, Miyumi sprang forward, pulling Aiko and Hana behind her for protection.

Zak decided to pass through the town mall, as it was a quicker route to his former house where he wanted to see his sister. To his shock, he saw Miyumi arguing with a man who appeared to be holding a hand glock. His eyes widened in fear as he dropped his bags and rushed toward his sister, but he was too late. Bang! The man fired his gun, and Zak could only see a white haze. Terrified and confused, he heard an unfamiliar voice. “Conditions met. Now transferring two humans: one hero and one legendary expert,” the voice intoned before Zak lost consciousness.

"Would you wake up already?" yelled a little girl.

Zak bolted upright, frantically scanning his surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of his sister. But instead, he found himself in the heart of a dense forest. His mind raced as panic set in, about to tip him over the edge, when the memory of the little girl’s voice snapped him back to reality.

"Where are you?" he called out, but there was no answer.

Suddenly, the same disembodied voice echoed in his mind: "Perfect vessel found. Deal complete."

Zak froze. It was the same voice he'd heard right after the gunshot. A wave of confusion and despair washed over him as he struggled to understand where he was, if his sister was even alive. The cryptic mention of two humans replayed in his mind, snapping him out of his downward spiral.

Determined, he began to search the forest, weaving through towering trees and thick fog. Hours passed with no sign of civilization or help. Exhausted, he finally collapsed beneath a tree with a broad canopy, its branches sheltering him like an umbrella.

"Finally, you're giving it a rest," the little girl’s voice chimed in again.

Zak whipped his head from side to side, trying to spot her, but saw nothing.

“You must be looking for me. Well, you can't see me ‘cause I'm trapped inside you,” the girl explained.

Zak laughed it off, still not realizing a major detail: he wasn’t in his former world any longer. As night fell, it finally dawned on him. After recalling the mysterious voice, he grabbed onto the fact that it mentioned another world. Zak let out a loud yell of wonder and excitement, the confusing mix of emotions causing a weird smile to stretch across his face.

"What a weird kid," the girl remarked.

"You—yes, you, little girl—what’s your name?" Zak asked.

"Who are you calling 'little girl'?" the voice shot back with a hint of anger. "I am the Demon Lord, or rather, was—before I met a good friend of mine."

"Oh really, what changed?" Zak inquired, intrigued.

The girl hesitated, her tone turning cold. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Can you see me?" Zak asked, as he gathered sticks to set a fire.

"No, not really, or at least, not yet," the girl replied before adding with pride, "I am Reika, Empress of Eternal Flames, former Demon Lord."

"Oh, okay," Zak replied, unfazed. "How come you're stuck in my body, and how are you stuck in there, too?"

"It must be hard for you, seeing that you're just entering this world, so let's break it down, okay?" Reika began, her tone unusually patient. "Every life is made up of the same energy we call mana. This magical energy can be found in and around everything that has life—trees, monsters, humans, and other species alike. The scaling of mana isn't exactly fixed, but based on skill levels, we can measure it."

Zak listened closely, still confused but trying to understand.

"Humans, monsters, and other beings can increase their mana through training and meditation techniques. For monsters, it comes almost naturally. And with the use of pills and elixirs, the process of increasing one's mana becomes even faster."

Zak raised an eyebrow, trying to wrap his head around it. "What about heroes and legendary experts?" he asked, a little impatient.

"Right," Reika continued. "Heroes are humans from another world, summoned here by holy mages. They are blessed with mana by the holy goddess, so they start with a massive amount of it—and they can still grow it through training."

Zak nodded, thinking about what this meant for him.

"But legendary experts... they're different. They’re not blessed by the goddess. In fact, she utterly despises them." Reika's voice darkened. "Yet, for some reason, she tolerates their existence. Instead, these experts are blessed naturally with mana by Kagura, the spirit or idea of nature in this realm. Legendary experts are born with more mana than an ordinary human should possess. And their power... depends on their will to grow and learn."

Zak felt a chill. "So... what does that mean for me?"

Reika chuckled softly, almost teasingly. "That's for you to figure out, Zak. But trust me, you've got more potential than most."

“That said, something is still off about this,” Rika thought to herself. “Sure, they have plenty of mana, but his is... terrifying. We can’t even fathom it. Let’s just say my soul is trapped in your mana sea. That’s where all your mana is stored. Although mana isn’t tangible, it’s generally located in your lower abdomen.”

Reika concluded aloud, a hint of unease in her voice. “Ah, I see,” Zak responded, absorbing Reika’s words and the gravity of the situation.

"Do you have any ideas on how we are going to get out of this forest?" Zak asked Reika, his voice betraying a hint of frustration.

Reika paused thoughtfully. Hmm, something feels off, she thought to herself. "Well, let's see. We are currently in the Dark Forest, in the Netherland. Oddly enough, we haven’t encountered any magical beasts yet."

"Magical beasts?" Zak exclaimed, his curiosity piqued. "You mean like monsters?"

"Ugh," Reika groaned, clearly annoyed. "As I was saying before you rudely interrupted—no, magical beasts are not just ordinary monsters. They’re a breed apart. While they may look similar to monsters, what sets them apart is their lack of evolved intelligence. Don’t get it twisted though; their physical prowess more than makes up for it. They can be incredibly powerful, and their strength differs depending on the type we might encounter."

Zak's nerves tensed. "So, where do I walk to get to the nearest civilization?"

"What do you take me for, your personal guide?" Reika teased, before giving a sigh. "Anyway, head west. There’s a major kingdom, Christonia, but you should pass through a few small towns before getting there."

With that bit of advice and the knowledge of where the sun was setting, Zak figured out his direction and started walking westward. After some time, a strange sensation washed over him, sending shivers down his spine.

"What's happening?" Zak asked nervously.

"You’re sensing the aura of magical beasts," Reika explained calmly. "I’d suggest waiting until morning before you move any further. You aren’t exactly ready to handle a confrontation."

Taking her advice, Zak found a small hill and climbed it, eventually spotting a cave on its side. He settled inside and drifted into a restless sleep, bracing himself for whatever lay ahead.

Zak pondered for a while before drifting off to sleep. As he slumbered, he felt as though he was falling. Startled, he opened his eyes to a vast white landscape. Someone tapped him from behind. Turning around, he saw a girl with a familiar voice.

"Finally, you've dived into your own subconscious mind, and we can meet," the girl said.

"Reika?" Zak asked in shock. "So, you're just a little girl?"

"I'm over a thousand years old," Reika retorted, clearly irritated.

Zak was taken aback. Reika had two ponytails and wore a short A-shaped gown in a soft pink hue, with tabi covering her white socks down to her ankles. She looked no older than 14, with striking red eyes, a small nose, and slim lips.

"What are you staring at?" she asked, annoyed.

"Nothing," Zak replied quickly, trying to avoid further annoyance.

Reika, however, thought to herself, He actually looks pretty good for an otherworlder. Who would've thought?

"Will we meet like this all the time?" Zak asked, trying to understand the nature of their encounter.

"No, not exactly. With some training, you'll be able to come here at will. But for now, I can't say if we'll meet every time you fall asleep," Reika explained.

Zak nodded in understanding, but before he could ask more, everything shifted. He opened his eyes to find a small, furry creature licking him. It was already morning. He climbed down from the hill and continued his journey, his mind buzzing with the strange encounter.

Zak's heart raced as a deep, thunderous roar erupted behind him. Run! Reika’s voice cut through the panic like a blade. Without thinking, Zak took off, his legs pumping with raw adrenaline. In mere strides, he was already far from where he'd been. Reika, who was mentally tethered to him, marveled at his speed. Impressive, she thought, her tone carrying both surprise and approval.

"Wait a minute," she murmured in realization, "You’ve trained your body in the other world, haven’t you? And... could it be? You’re using Qi?"

Zak, still running, processed her words, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, so that's what this is. Qi, huh?" he said between breaths. "I knew of the concept from my world, but I didn’t realize it was this powerful here."

Reika’s voice grew more intense. "Yes, Qi, like Mana, is a spiritual constant. But unlike Mana, which any life form can draw on, Qi can only be wielded by those with evolved intelligence. It's the perfect balance to Mana—yet far more dangerous. It pushes the body beyond its limits. Most don't survive its strain."

Zak smirked, almost reveling in the danger. "So, I’ve got some kind of... mutation, huh? I knew I was strong before, but this? This is something else."

Reika’s voice shifted, sharp with new urgency. "If you can handle Qi like that, there's no need to run from these magical beasts. I sense three Gohorns behind you."

"Gohorns?" Zak’s brow furrowed. He thought back to the monstrous roar. "You mean the thing chasing us? There’s three of them?"

Reika’s voice was grim. "Yes. Gohorns are beasts with horns of obsidian, capable of shattering boulders with a single charge. They're not easily dealt with, even for seasoned fighters. But they must have sensed your display of power. That’s why more have come."

Zak slowed his pace, the predatory grin spreading across his face. His blood thrummed with excitement. The thrill of a real fight. "Three of them, huh?" he muttered, clenching his fists. "That’s perfect. Time to see what I’m really made of."

Reika's pulse quickened in sync with his. "Zak... do you really want to fight them?"

Zak’s smirk turned into a full, dangerous smile. "Hell yeah. Let’s see what these Gohorns got."

Taking a bow by its horns, Zak hurled the creature with incredible force, smashing it against a nearby rock. The impact was brutal, but the beast wasn't done. As it struggled to rise, Zak propelled himself high into the sky with a leap that defied logic, ascending far higher than he expected. With one mighty strike, he crashed down on the bow, driving it into the ground so hard that the earth caved in beneath it. The beast lay motionless- one hit was all it took.

Reika, silently observing the battle, started making mental notes. Who would have thought he'd be this strong already, she thought, though her expression remained impassive. The remaining bulls, now wary of Zak's power, hesitated for a brief moment but stil charged forward.

Zak, calm and collected, stopped them dead in their tracks with his bare hands, gripping each by the horns. Without a second thought, he ripped the horns out from their skulls in one swift motion. With a fierce cross of his arms, he stabbed both beasts simultaneously, blood spilling from their wounds, lifeless they collapsed in seconds.

"That wasn't fun at all," Zak remarked with a wry grin. "But at least now I have a better idea of what I'm capable of."

"Take their horns," Reika urged. "They're worth some crystals. You'll need those when you reach town."

"Like money? Got it," Zak responded, ripping the horns out with ease and tying them together using a vine.

On his way out of the forest, Zak dispatched several other beasts, all of which were level 5 and below. He collected various valuable items from them, storing them for later use. Finally, after hours of trekking through the dark and toxic terrain, Zak saw the edge of the forest. The air on the outside felt cleaner-still harsh, but a relief compared to the suffocating atmosphere of the forest. For the first time in what felt like forever, Zak allowed himself a moment of peace.

Zak walked for a while before spotting a small town. His basic human needs resurfaced; he hadn't eaten or bathed for a whole day. He hurried towards the town's entrance, where an old man stood guard. As Zak approached, the old man spoke.

"What do you want from this town, young man?"

"I was hoping to get something to eat and exchange a few items," Zak replied, shifting the bag made from a beast's hide to indicate he had valuable resources. The old man sensed a powerful aura emanating from Zak and noted the Qi energy flowing freely from him.

"I never thought I’d see someone so young excel in the use of Qi," the old man remarked, observing Zak's potential. "But alas, you seem to be wasting it and haven't fully mastered its use." With that, the old man released his own Qi flow, which was so imposing it made Zak instinctively leap back a few meters.

“This? No. Could he?” Reika muttered to herself, stunned.

The old man chuckled, “Ah, a human's instinct to flee first to gauge the threat. That’s nice.” He then continued, “There isn’t much I can do for you in many respects, but I’d love to take you on as my student, if you’re willing.” He flashed a wide, welcoming smile.

Zak contemplated the offer before accepting. “Could I see a place to stay while I’m here?” he asked.

“Yes, you can stay with me and my beloved children,” the old man replied enthusiastically.

“Children? It would be nice to see other humans too,” Zak said, intrigued.

“Who said anything about humans? They are plants,” the old man corrected, his eyes widening with a heartfelt smile.

“What a strange man,” Zak thought to himself. “Come on, let’s go,” the old man urged.

As they entered the town, Zak was astonished to find that monsters were the town’s residents.